This Week’s Reflection
“. . .what was profoundly lost now is astoundingly found. The poor receive good news: those of little importance are now the apple of God’s eye. It is imperative to go tell these things, to describe the compelling authenticity of this Jesus and the trustworthiness of his message. To get the truth out and let the Truth in.”
~John Mogabgab
Before fake news we had spin. Both terms remind us that truth often stands on shaky ground, shrouded in shades of grey or lost in confusing word twists. In John 18: 33-37 Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea, is wondering if what he heard about Jesus is fake news. He asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Later, Pilate will preside over the trial of Jesus. In the meantime, Pilate is struggling for truth. He finds truth elusive and never comes to terms, resulting in a costly outcome.
The truth sets us free. The truth also saves lives. The distortion of truth can also cost lives, as we sadly continue to learn in facing the politicization of c19. Today as I was walking to church I had a conversation with one of our neighbors. His sister and two other relatives recently died of the virus. He said he had been trying for months to convince them to wear masks and to get vaccinated. They refused. He said they went to a church that proclaimed that wearing masks and getting vaccinated showed a lack of faith. The dangerous messaging included, “God will protect you.” We talked about how God offers protection, yet God’s protection includes respecting the truth of science.
Borderfree Spirit invites us to enter into truth and to lead truth seeking and truth telling lives. The journey to truth and with truth is marked by openness and humility. The psalmist proclaims, “Make me know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me into your truth. . .” (Psalm 25:4-5). In the message Sunday we’ll explore the depths of truth beyond superficial nuance, and our call to bear witness to truth. Our Borderfree Worship is both in-person and virtual at 9a.m. and 11a.m. EDT and On Demand. In a world hungry for truth, we offer a feast to freely share.
Grace & Peace,
Rev. Elder Dwayne Johnson
2021 Transgender Day of Remembrance!
Transgender Day of Remembrance Committee has planned our annual ceremony to be held virtually because of the ongoing threat posed by Covid-19.
Please join us at 2:30 pm on Sunday, November 21st on the MCCDC facebook or You tube page page where we will livestream our traditional program. Please keep yourselves safe and healthy as we reflect on those we’ve lost in 2021, and those who continue to bless us with their presence, strength, and advocacy for a better future. ”
Congregational Meeting
Join us On November 21st, we’ll hold our Congregational Meeting and ask members to approve the 2022 budget and elect new board reps.
Here are four ways to participate:
• Email churchoffice@mccdc.com and let us know that you plan to attend the forum in person at 474 Ridge St NW
• Click here to open Zoom and join automatically
• Launch Zoom and enter Meeting ID 871 3152 2793
• Dial (301) 715-8592 by phone, using the same Meeting ID
“Email Scam Alert”
Someone has been sending email claiming to be Rev. Dwayne and requesting people buy gift cards. This is a scam! (Rev. Dwayne has only one email address, revdwayne@mccdc.com). Delete the email or report it as spam.
Click here for advice from the FTC about how to recognize “phishing” scams. Never reveal personal or financial information via email. Do not click links if you don’t recognize the sender. Don’t just check their name, inspect the email address by hovering your mouse over the ‘from’ address. Make sure no alterations (like additional numbers or letters) have been made
Christmas Concert & Tributes
Mark your calendar for 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 11th. We’ll host a Zoom “watch party” for the live premiere of our “Follow the Star” Christmas concert on YouTube. We will not host an in-person event because of the ongoing threat posed by Covid-19.
We also invite you to remember someone you love with a tribute this Christmas. Their names will be included in our Sunday worship folder and also displayed at the end of Sunday worship throughout the Advent season. We suggest a donation of $20.00 per tribute. All gifts matter. Here’s an online form to pay with credit card or electronic debit. You can also print this form and mail it to the church with a check.
Membership Class
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member of MCCDC, a membership class will be offered on Sunday December 12th from 12:30 pm ET to 2 pm ET. Please contact Rev Dwayne (revdewayne@mccdc.com) or Rev Cathy (revcathy@mccdc.com) if you would like to attend or have questions.
Joan Cunningham 1936-2020
MCCDC will host a celebration of life for Joan Cunningham, who passed into eternal life last December. Please join us at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, December 28th, either in person at Fifth & Ridge or via livestream, live.mccdc.com.
C19 Booster Shots
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now available for anyone age 65+ who received the Pfizer vaccine more than six months ago. Most pharmacies offer walk-in service. (Guidance for Moderna and J&J recipients is forthcoming from the CDC.)
Booster shots are authorized for people 18-64 with underlying medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, obesity; people 18-64 who work in high-risk settings including healthcare, schools and grocery stores. Additional doses are also recommended for immunocompromised individuals.
Find your vaccine card or access your vaccine record by visiting myir.dc.gov (DC), md.myir.net (Maryland), vdh.virginia.gov (Virginia); call your healthcare provider to discuss your options for a booster, or visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Prayer Corner
Please lift the following people up during your prayer time:
Bob Jones & Bob Jones’ son Chuck & wife Karen • Jerry Giem & Jerry Giem’s son, Jason and nephew, Travis • Valeria Myers’ daughter Chantelle & son Donald• Michelle Lax • George Kerr, III • Dr. Veronica Franklin • Celecila Hayden-Smith and Esther Smith health. Rose Williams continue healing• Randy Punley • Lynn Sulyma • •Marcus Garnett • Renee Valentine & Renee Valentine’s brother • Arden Shutt • Delores Fowler • Evelyn Jones • Steve Sloane • Glenn Conrad • Anthony Goode • Jeffrey Luckenbach • Cathy Batson’s niece Lisa • Kim Battle • ABilly Jones-Hennin • Bill Campbell • Mark Kelly • Joshua Benkins’ prayers for health of Father Isaac David Benkins • Elaine Durden-Hunter asks for prayers of healing for her dog, Angel • Elaine Durden-Hunter’s mother, •Earline T. Green, •Angela Terrell,• Maria Hill
“Church Ministries & Events”
Virtual Choir
Come and join the Virtual Voices of MCC Choir! Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. For more info, email Music Minister Deidre Mouton Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com.
Spiritual Gifts, Get Involved!
Your’re invited to consider sharing your spiritual gifts by making a Scripture Reading Video or sharing a Video Testimony on what MCCDC means to you.
It does not have to be long and the AV team is standing by to help you with the video. Please email me at revdwayne@mccdc.com for more information.
Moving Spirit Dance Ministry
Come dance for God! No experience needed. Email Cathy Batson at cathybatson1@verizon.net for more information. Check out past performances on our YouTube channel, including “I Can Only Imagine” (April 2019) and “Mighty River”(February 2018).
Singing to God
Join the Virtual Voices of the MCC Choir. Lift your voice in our virtual rehearsals while singing from the comfort of your home. Email Music Minister Diedre Gray at msdeedeemusic@gmail.com
JOIN REV. DWAYNE IN PRAYER FROM NOON TO 12:30 PM Monday thru Saturday
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7078722334
Meeting ID: 707 872 2334
The dial in is 301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 7078722334
Intercessory Prayer Team
Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursdays each month at 7 pm
Contact LaMar Jenkins at 202-750-08887
Bible Study Tuesdays at 7:00 pm Eastern
Click here to Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/434566329
or Dial: (301) 715-8592 ,Meeting ID: 434 566 329
Contact Dale Madyun-Baskerville at mccdcbiblestudy@mccdc.com for more information.
Pastoral Care Meeting
Meet 1st and 3rd Wednesday, each month at 6::30pm
Contact pastoralcare@mccdc.com for more information or interest in joining this vibrant church ministry this Fall
Writer’s Ministry
The MCCDC Writers’ Ministry mission is to offer to our church and the world more reflections and devotionals throughout the year. If you’d like to join this project, now or in the future, please contact Rev. Dr. Robin Hawley Gorsline, Writer-Theologian in Residence, at writer@robinhawleygorsline.com
Join Us on YouTube and subscribe to the MCCDC YouTube Channel!
